Never too late for Cupid

By Jill Jackson RSAA Marketing Director

Saturday

Feb 9, 2019 at 12:01 AM

ASHEBORO — No matter how old you are, how long you’ve been single or how many times you’ve had your heart broken, there is always a chance that Mr. or Ms. Oh-So-Right is waiting just around the corner — or at your local senior center.

Three Randolph County couples are proving Cupid can strike at any age, and they’re crediting their local senior center for helping them find love again.

Roger, Cordelia Byers

Cordelia Hicks of Asheboro had been widowed after 61 years of marriage when she connected with Roger Byers during Friday Night Gospel Singing at the Asheboro Senior Center (when it was still located on Wainman Avenue).

Cordelia recalled that Roger had been in her late husband’s Sunday school class, but had left the church after his wife of 56 years died, which happened three weeks before Cordelia’s husband passed. Roger’s daughter, Anita, knew her dad was feeling lonely and encouraged him to visit the senior center.

One Friday night Roger was at the center with his grandson when Cordelia called out, “Hey, aren’t you Roger Byers?” and flashed her million-dollar smile. The two chatted briefly that evening and went their separate ways.

But that was only a spark of what was to come.

A mutual friend, Nancy Hunter, helped play Cupid by making sure Roger knew Cordelia could be found there on Friday nights. Roger began attending regularly so he could see Cordelia. The two started talking more and more each week and eventually began dating.

“I had no intentions of getting married again or even dating for that matter,” said Cordelia. “But once we started dating, everything just fell into place.”

Roger and Cordelia had lived incredible lives apart, but after connecting they knew they were ready to spend the rest of their lives together. The duo married on Aug. 3, 2014, and their families could not be happier for them.

Cordelia, 87, and Roger, 86, agree that the key to their happy union is that they try to help each other and love each other. Roger, who lights up when he talks about Cordelia, added, “I’m so thankful. No regrets. I know God had a hand in it.”

Elvin Parrish,

Beverly Barnhart

Not too far away in Randleman it was a similar story for Elvin Parrish, 89, and Beverly Barnhart, 84.

Beverly lost her husband of 56 years in July 2014. She started attending the Randleman Senior Center in March of 2015 as a way to connect with others and enjoy social interaction.

“About six months after I started going to the center, Elvin’s neighbor, who had been attending the center, walked in and informed us that he had lost his wife of 65 years,” said Beverly. “He was told to sit at my table and after that day he always sat at my table.”

The next several months were filled with the two interacting at the senior center while engaging in a variety of activities from making crafts to participating in exercise classes to making music. It wasn’t long before the two were enjoying music outside of the senior center — on a date.

“One day Elvin asked me if I liked bluegrass music,” said Beverly. “He had planned to take seven people to the Sunset Theatre. One couldn’t go, so he wanted to know if I would like to go.”

She agreed. The two sat next to each other that night and have been dating ever since.

“It will be three years this month,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “He’s is the kindest man. He’s very, very, very good to me.”

These days, the duo are still regulars at the Randleman Senior Center — where they still sit next to each other. Both joined Midway Wesleyan Church and enjoy spending a lot of time together. They even went on a cruise last year.

“There’s no way to make our relationship any more special. And I just love being with her,” he said without skipping a beat.

William Marley,

Wilma Maness

Spring — and love — was in the air for another couple who met in April 2015. William Marley and Wilma Maness, both of Asheboro, connected at a Saturday Night Dance held at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Adult Resource & Education Center.

Wilma, 70, had been attending dances regularly. William, 64, decided he would give the dance a try and see if he might meet someone special. After attending about three dances, he made a promise to himself.

“I told myself if I didn’t meet somebody special that night that I wasn’t coming back,” he said.

It wasn’t long before William locked eyes with Wilma across the room.

He asked his friend what he knew about her. His friend confirmed that he should go over and talk to her — fast.

“He told me she was a good woman and I needed to get over there,” said William with a smile.

It wasn’t long before he worked up the nerve to ask Wilma for a slow dance. After the pair shared a dance, he asked her if he could sit with her at her table. The two started talking and immediately found a long list of common connections.

“We really clicked,” she said.

William asked her for a date the following day. The two shared a meal and exchanged phone numbers.

Fast forward four years. The duo are in a committed relationship and come to the dance every Saturday to enjoy each other’s company and have fun.

As for the phone numbers they exchanged, you can find Wilma’s number listed in his phone under “Sweetheart.”

Your turn at love?

During this month of love, allow yourself to be happy and to feel those butterflies in your stomach again!

You can enjoy many opportunities to connect with others. Whether it’s attending the Saturday Night Dance, learning how to use the computer, painting, playing billiards or bridge, picking up Tai Chi, singing, taking exercise classes, or volunteering, there are so many possibilities.

* Contact Randolph Senior Adults Association at 336-625-3389 to learn more about programs, services and other fun and engaging activities for residents, ages 50 and better. For more information, visit www.senioradults.org.

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